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Volkswagen Will Likely Stop Selling Diesel Cars in the UShttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/11/volkswagen-has-no-plans-to-sell-diesels-in-the-us-again.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/11/volkswagen-has-no-plans-to-sell-diesels-in-the-us-again.html#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2016 15:01:38 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=445817Volkswagen Will Likely Stop Selling Diesel Cars in the USVolkswagen is giving up on diesels in the US. more]]>It sounds like Volkswagen plans to pull all of its diesel models out of the U.S. market.

“At the moment we assume that we will offer no new diesel vehicles in the U.S.,” VW brand chief Herbert Diess told Handelsblatt.

While that isn’t an entirely definitive answer, it seems like VW won’t be back in the U.S. with any TDI models. Instead, the German automaker has announced its “TRANSFORM 2025+” plans, outlining its future direction, which includes a big push into electric vehicles and larger sport utility vehicles.

Its goals are big, too. By 2020, Volkswagen plans to have 19 SUV models on sale, up from the current two, while electric vehicle sales are targeting one million units by 2025. To pay for development of these new models, Volkswagen has already announced a new labor deal that will see 30,000 jobs dropped through attrition. The brand also says it will discontinue certain low-volume models and model variants.

“From 2020, we will be launching our major e-mobility offensive. As a volume manufacturer, we intend to play a key role in the breakthrough of the electric car,” said Diess. “We are not aiming for niche products but for the heart of the automobile market. By 2025, we want to sell a million electric cars per year and to be the world market leader in e-mobility,” said the brand CEO.

VW isn’t just going to sell electric cars in the U.S. either, with plans to begin producing EVs in American starting in 2021. Besides electrification, Volkswagen also wants to be a leader in connectivity, planning to have 80 million active users of its connected services by 2025.

The decision to drop diesels in the U.S., which made up one quarter of all VW sales here, is a result of the diesel emissions scandal, which saw VW installing software into its TDI diesel vehicles to trick emissions tests and then emit up to 40 times the permitted amount of pollutants into the air. In America alone, the scandal cost VW $14.7 billlion.

As part of the plan, a goal has been set by VW to grow its profit margin to 4 percent by 2020 and 6 percent by 2025. VW will invest €4.5 billion each year over the next few years, with the goal of bringing a positive impact on earnings of €3.7 billion per year by 2020.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/11/volkswagen-has-no-plans-to-sell-diesels-in-the-us-again.html/feed2more]]>Former VW CFO Investigated by German Prosecutorshttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/11/former-vw-cfo-investigated-by-german-prosecutors.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/11/former-vw-cfo-investigated-by-german-prosecutors.html#respondMon, 07 Nov 2016 17:30:25 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=440285Former VW CFO Investigated by German ProsecutorsA top Volkswagen exec is under investigation. Read more here. more]]>Hans Dieter Poetsch, former VW finance chief and current supervisory board chairman is now the target of a German investigation.

The investigation centers around suspected market manipulation and came about as a result of the TDI scandal that rocked Volkswagen. The investigation that Poetsch is now being included in is the same one that investigated former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn and brand chief Herbert Diess.

“Based on a thorough examination by internal legal experts, the company reaffirms its belief that VW’s management fulfilled its duties to inform the capital market,” said VW in a release.

The Porsche and Piech families, who are behind Porsche SE, the holding company that has a controlling share of VW, are publicly supporting Poetsch.

The investigation comes at a bad time for VW, which is facing criticism for arguing last week that its defeat device did not contravene European law. Moreover, a report this weekend alleges that another cheat device, distinct from those involved in the TDI scandal, has been found in the Audi A6, Q5, and more.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/11/former-vw-cfo-investigated-by-german-prosecutors.html/feed0more]]>Looking for a Brand New Diesel? It’s Going to be Hard to Find Onehttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/10/looking-for-a-brand-new-diesel-it-s-going-to-be-hard-to-find-one.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/10/looking-for-a-brand-new-diesel-it-s-going-to-be-hard-to-find-one.html#commentsMon, 24 Oct 2016 13:19:58 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=435632Looking for a Brand New Diesel? It’s Going to be Hard to Find OneDiesels are being held back for 2017. more]]>Only two brands have been given the green light to sell diesel vehicles in the U.S. for the 2017 model year.

As of right now Jaguar is the only brand selling 2017 diesels in the U.S., though BMW has been given the all clear to sell its 2017 diesels from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Boards (CARB).

Heightened scrutiny of diesel emissions has been the name of the game ever since Volkswagen was caught cheating on diesel emissions tests. As would be expected, VW hasn’t been cleared yet to sell its diesels in the U.S. for 2017, including models from Audi and Porsche.

The EPA’s new testing process has been kept mostly secret from the public and the automakers, with the agency simply saying that the new tests are unpredictable and will take longer.

GM is waiting on certification for the 2017 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon diesels, while FCA is being held back from selling its 2017 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel engine.

Mercedes-Benz has four different diesel models on hold and has even decided not to offer the 2017 C-Class with a diesel like it originally claimed it would.

At BMW, diesel production was delayed until certification came through, so the brand says that its 3-Series and X3 diesel models will hit dealers before the end of the year while the X5 diesel will be here in January.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/10/looking-for-a-brand-new-diesel-it-s-going-to-be-hard-to-find-one.html/feed4more]]>VW Diesel Owners Get up to $10K Each, Total Bill Hits $14.7Bhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/vw-diesel-owners-get-up-to-10k-each-total-bill-hits-14-7b.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/vw-diesel-owners-get-up-to-10k-each-total-bill-hits-14-7b.html#commentsTue, 28 Jun 2016 14:05:03 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=406840VW Diesel Owners Get up to $10K Each, Total Bill Hits $14.7BDetails on exactly how Volkswagen will pay back customers and the U.S. government over its diesel emissions scandal have been finalized. To settle with owners, Volkswagen has put together a pool of $10.033 billion to cover the cost of buybacks, emissions fixes and cash settlements. The brand has also agreed to pay the US government $2.7 billion... more]]>Details on exactly how Volkswagen will pay back customers and the U.S. government over its diesel emissions scandal have been finalized.

To settle with owners, Volkswagen has put together a pool of $10.033 billion to cover the cost of buybacks, emissions fixes and cash settlements. The brand has also agreed to pay the US government $2.7 billion for environmental mitigation costs and another $2 billion is being spent on research into zero-emissions vehicles.

That brings the total cost of Volkswagen’s diesel scandal in the US to $14.7 billion. This is also the largest consumer auto industry class action settlement in U.S. history.

In September of 2015, it was discovered that Volkswagen has installed a defeat device in many of its diesel vehicles, allowing its cars to pass emissions tests while spewing illegal levels of pollution into the air.

Owners of Volkswagen or Audi vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter diesel engine will have two options: A buyback of the car for the price it was worth in September 2015 (before the scandal broke) or Volkswagen will fix the car.

VW is still trying to come up with an emissions modification process that is approved by both the EPA and CARB for these cars, though if a solution is not found, the buyback program will still be available. Some owners will be able to cancel leases without penalties while some car loan obligations will also be waved.

Regardless of whether the owner chooses the buyback or the fix, Volkswagen will also be sending a cash settlement. VW says that most owners will receive between $5,100 and $10,000 each, based on a formula which probably depends on how long the vehicle has been owned.

“This historic agreement holds Volkswagen accountable for its betrayal of consumer trust, and requires Volkswagen to repair the environmental damage it caused,” said Elizabeth Cabraser, Court-appointed Lead Counsel and chair of the 21 member Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC), which negotiated the settlement on behalf of class members. “To achieve relief for consumers so swiftly on such a large scale is unprecedented.”

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/vw-diesel-owners-get-up-to-10k-each-total-bill-hits-14-7b.html/feed4more]]>Volkswagen’s Future Plans Revealed, Onslaught of EVs Cominghttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/volkswagen-s-future-plans-revealed-onslaught-of-evs-coming.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/volkswagen-s-future-plans-revealed-onslaught-of-evs-coming.html#commentsThu, 16 Jun 2016 18:19:29 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=403980Volkswagen’s Future Plans Revealed, Onslaught of EVs ComingVolkswagen, looking to get out from behind the black cloud that is its diesel emissions scandal, has pledged to have 30 different electric vehicles on the market by 2025, all part of a new plan it has put together for the future. The plan, named “TOGETHER—Strategy 2025,” involves changes to the group that are wide... more]]>Volkswagen, looking to get out from behind the black cloud that is its diesel emissions scandal, has pledged to have 30 different electric vehicles on the market by 2025, all part of a new plan it has put together for the future.

The plan, named “TOGETHER—Strategy 2025,” involves changes to the group that are wide ranging and profound. It will see the “Volkswagen Group become more focused, efficient, innovative, customer-driven and sustainable – and is systematically geared to generating profitable growth,” says VW CEO Matthias Muller. “We aim to create lasting value for all our stakeholders.”

The nuts and bolts of these changes will be laid out by the company before the end of the year, they say, but today they announced that the new direction will lead the group to produce many more electric cars, focus more heavily on ride hailing, and to make more commercial vehicles in more markets.

Pursuing these goals will require an enormous investment in research and development, that Volkswagen predicts will be in the double-digit billion dollar range.

To fund this, Muller says the group will be increasing efficiency across the brands. Volkswagen say that every brand, and every department, especially for the Volkswagen brand, will need to increase operational efficiency, meaning, effectively, an operating return on sales of 7-8% by 2025.

One of the ways the Volkswagen Group proposes to do this is by streamlining its modular architecture. Precisely what that means remains to be seen, but given that they want to “reduce complexity in development and production,” it sounds like they want to make the platforms even less different from vehicle to vehicle, and maybe have even fewer platforms.

Reports also surfaced recently that the group is weighing its assets with the possibility of selling companies like MAN and Ducati to help with cash flow. On the other hand, they announced today that commercial vehicles would be an important part of the group’s future, and that they would be looking to sell more commercial vehicles in more markets by 2025.

In the long term, Volkswagen is looking to becoming more involved in both electric cars and “mobility services.” While the Group say that they will continue to produce traditional vehicles, they also want to sell 2-3 million Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) by 2025, which would amount to 20-25% of overall sales at that time.

Ride Hailing is also a big part of the Group’s future direction. It doesn’t end with the recent $300 million investment in Gett. Volkswagen have revealed that they are also focused on other services like robotaxis (and other driverless technologies), car sharing, and transport on-demand.

The good news for North America is that Volkswagen says they are still committed to the market. Just what that commitment will look like remains to be seen, though.

With the Volkswagen brand’s particular trouble in North America, even before the diesel crisis, the future is unclear. Skoda was recently found to be trademarking the names of its products in North America, and with that speculation arose that it might be making inroads into the market, even that it might replacing Volkswagen, though the latter claim could be termed “wild” speculation.

Gett, too, though it was recently introduced in New York, has struggled to get a foothold in North America. As a result, the future of Volkswagen’s on-demand mobility plan for North America remains obscure.

The group just opened a parts distribution center in California, and just announced another $4.5 million investment in a new Southern California Training Center. In their announcement today, though, Volkswagen said that they would be realigning the components business to combine their activities across all brands, so changes are still coming.

Whatever the future for North America, Volkswagen and Muller at least appear to have a clear vision for Europe. With heavy investment in technology, rather than empire building, Volkswagen is looking to embrace what it sees as the future.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/06/volkswagen-s-future-plans-revealed-onslaught-of-evs-coming.html/feed1more]]>Volkswagen Expected to Buyback About 500K Diesels in UShttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/04/volkswagen-expected-to-buyback-about-500k-diesels-in-us.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/04/volkswagen-expected-to-buyback-about-500k-diesels-in-us.html#commentsThu, 21 Apr 2016 11:56:40 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=393231Volkswagen Expected to Buyback About 500K Diesels in USThe German automaker will reportedly be buying back all vehicles fit with its 2.0-liter diesel engine. more]]>Volkswagen is expected to announce buybacks of about 500,000 diesel vehicles fit with emissions cheating software in the U.S.

According to Reuters, the German automaker will be buying back all vehicles fit with its 2.0-liter diesel engine, which include the Golf, Jetta and Audi A3. The fix for the larger 3.0-liter diesel engine found in Audi and Porsche SUV models is still unclear.

VW is apparently also offering to repair the cars, but that is only if U.S. regulators deem that the fix will work.

In September of 2015, Volkswagen admitted to installing software that allowed 11 million vehicles worldwide to cheat on emissions tests. In some case, the cars were spewing up to 40 times the allowable levels of pollution.

Volkswagen will also setup a compensation fund for its owners. One report claims that each owner will get a $5,000 settlement. The fund alone is said to be close to $1 billion, not counting the cost to buyback each vehicle.

Each owner will get a cash settlement, while those who have their car bought back will receive the estimated value of the car from before the scandal broke. Owners will likely get around two years to decide what to do with their VW diesel.

Volkswagen still faces an ongoing criminal investigation and civil suit from the Justice Department and numerous other lawsuits, one of which is from the FTC over false advertising.

Details on Volkswagen’s plans will be revealed at a court hearing later today.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/04/volkswagen-expected-to-buyback-about-500k-diesels-in-us.html/feed3more]]>VW to Let Go 3,000 Office Workers in Germanyhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/03/vw-to-let-go-3-000-office-workers-in-germany.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/03/vw-to-let-go-3-000-office-workers-in-germany.html#commentsFri, 11 Mar 2016 13:48:27 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=384021VW to Let Go 3,000 Office Workers in GermanyVolkswagen has plans to cut up to 3,000 office jobs by the end 2017 to help offset the cost of the diesel emissions scandal. This information comes from an unnamed source within the company though no other details were offered on the job cuts. A VW spokesman did comment to Automotive News, saying that “the Volkswagen brand... more]]>Volkswagen has plans to cut up to 3,000 office jobs by the end 2017 to help offset the cost of the diesel emissions scandal.

This information comes from an unnamed source within the company though no other details were offered on the job cuts. A VW spokesman did comment to Automotive News, saying that “the Volkswagen brand has initiated an efficiency program that is affecting all areas, including personnel costs.”

Some of the specific areas where costs can be cut include reducing work contracts, filling vacancies internally and hiring fewer people.

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2016/03/vw-to-let-go-3-000-office-workers-in-germany.html/feed2more]]>Volkswagen to Roll Out Diesel Car Fix Soonhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/09/volkswagen-to-roll-out-diesel-car-fix-soon.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/09/volkswagen-to-roll-out-diesel-car-fix-soon.html#commentsTue, 29 Sep 2015 13:08:26 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=342518Volkswagen to Roll Out Diesel Car Fix SoonVolkswagen has a plan to fix its diesel cars more]]>Volkswagen said it will announce a recall for the 11 million vehicles affected by the diesel emissions scandal in the next few days.

The company’s new CEO, Matthias Mueller, says that VW has a “comprehensive” plan to refit the 11 million vehicles that have illegal software installed that helps them to fool emissions tests. VW will announce the specifics on the plan in “the next few days,” according to Mueller.

All vehicles fit with the group’s Euro 5 EA 189 diesel engines are affected. In the U.S., this includes the 2009 to 2015 TDI Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Passat and Beetle along with the 2009-2015 Audi A3.

The affected vehicles are fit with defeat devices that automatically cut down on emissions when the vehicle is being tested. During regular use, these TDI engines emit 10 to 40 times the amount of allowable NOx.

Of all the affected cars, 5 million wear a Volkswagen badge, 2.1 million are Audis, 1.2 million vehicles come from Skoda and the remaining 1.8 million are light commercial vehicles.

“We are facing a long trudge and a lot of hard work,” said Mueller. “We will only be able to make progress in steps and there will be setbacks.”

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/09/volkswagen-to-roll-out-diesel-car-fix-soon.html/feed1more]]>Everything You Need to Know About VW’s Diesel Scandalhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/09/everything-you-need-to-know-about-volkswagen-s-diesel-scandal.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/09/everything-you-need-to-know-about-volkswagen-s-diesel-scandal.html#commentsTue, 22 Sep 2015 13:39:51 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/?p=340811Everything You Need to Know About VW’s Diesel ScandalVolkswagen is in a lot of trouble. more]]>Volkswagen is in hot water around the world after admitting to cheating emissions tests with its diesel-powered cars.

Allegations of cheating were recently leveled at Volkswagen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after which VW admitted to using defeat devices in certain diesel-equipped cars.

1. What is a defeat device?

The defeat device used is a specific code embedded in the vehicle’s onboard computers that can detect when emissions tests are taking place. During testing, the code automatically makes the engine emit far less pollution than normal. When running during normal driving conditions, these engines can emit 10 to 40 times more harmful NOx into the air.

It is being said that Volkswagen may have done this while marketing its “Clean Diesels” to Americans. Most other diesel cars require some sort of additive to make then run cleaner, which weren’t needed with many of Volkswagen’s “Clean Diesels.”

2. Which cars are affected?

The vehicles affected by the problem so far are the 2009 to 2015 TDI Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Passat and Beetle sold in the United Stares. Also affected is the 2009-2015 Audi A3 equipped with the diesel engine. The specific engine is the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder unit. German regulators are also investigating to see if European diesel models have manipulated emissions testing.

Volkswagen has come forward and admitted that 11 million cars have the illegal software globally. The EPA has also announced that it is expanding its investigation to include the automaker’s 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, which is used in various Audi models and the Porsche Cayenne.

UPDATE:Audi has revealed that 2.1 million of its vehicles are fit with software that is meant to cheat diesel emissions tests.

If you own one of the affected Volkswagen vehicles and are wondering what to do next, click here.

3. Has there been a recall?

At this point, no official recall has been announced, though it seems almost certain there will be one. In its initial release, the EPA said that, “It is incumbent upon Volkswagen to initiate the process that will fix the cars’ emissions systems.”

VW maintains the cars are still completely safe and legal to drive.

UPDATE: Volkswagen has signaled its intention to recall all 11 million of the affected vehicles. The company says that is has a “comprehensive” plan to fix the affected cars, but as of September. 29, the details of the plan are still unknown.

4. Are these cars still for sale?

No. Volkswagen is currently not selling any 2015 model year cars with the 2.0-liter TDI four-cylinder engine. At this time, the EPA will not grant a “certificate of conformity” for 2016 model year Volkswagen vehicles with the TDI engine, meaning they are also not for sale. Canada has also issued a stop sale on the affected cars until the issue is resolved.

Volkswagen is offering financial assistance to its dealers to help them while sales of these diesel vehicles are halted. The company is guaranteeing bonus payments in September of $300 for each new car sold and $600 for each Passat, while offering floorplan financing reimbursement for diesel vehicles stuck on dealership lots that cannot be sold. The reimbursement plan will include both new and certified-used TDI models affected by the stop-sale until repair instructions are released.

5. How will VW fix this?

That is also unclear at this point. If Volkswagen simply issues a software fix, it is very likely that its TDI vehicles will lose performance and fuel efficiency to meet the proper standards. Another possibility is the addition of an entirely new Urea injection system, something most of these cars do not have. That would likely cost thousands of dollars per car.

6. What is Volkswagen saying?

VW’s official statement reads:

“As environmental protection and sustainability are among Volkswagen’s strategic corporate objectives, the company takes this matter very seriously and is cooperating with the investigation. Volkswagen is committed to fixing this issue as soon as possible. We want to assure customers and owners of these models that their automobiles are safe to drive, and we are working to develop a remedy that meets emissions standards and satisfies our loyal and valued customers. Owners of these vehicles do not need to take any action at this time.”

Volkwagen’s CEO, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn issued a statement on the matter along with a video apology.

“The Board of Management at Volkswagen AG takes these findings very seriously. I personally am deeply sorry that we have broken the trust of our customers and the public. We will cooperate fully with the responsible agencies, with transparency and urgency, to clearly, openly, and completely establish all of the facts of this case. Volkswagen has ordered an external investigation of this matter.

“We do not and will not tolerate violations of any kind of our internal rules or of the law. The trust of our customers and the public is and continues to be our most important asset. We at Volkswagen will do everything that must be done in order to re-establish the trust that so many people have placed in us, and we will do everything necessary in order to reverse the damage this has caused. This matter has first priority for me, personally, and for our entire Board of Management.”

UPDATE: Volkswagen CEO DR. Martin Winterkorn resigned his position in the wake of the issue.”I am shocked by the events of the past few days. Above all, I am stunned that misconduct on such a scale was possible in the Volkswagen Group,” Winterkorn said in a statement issued announcing his resignation. “As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group,” said Winterkorn.

Volkswagen USA CEO Michael Horn commented on the scandal during the unveiling of the new 2016 Passat.

“As you have seen since Friday, the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, has issued a statement and reality that Volkswagen Group manipulated engine software in our TDI diesel cars, and we violated emissions standards.

“The CEO of our parent company, Dr. Martin Winterkorn, said yesterday Volkswagen will fully cooperate with the responsible agencies, and much much more important as I see it, he stated that he was personally and deeply sorry for this—that Volkswagen has broken the trust of our customers, and the public here in America. And lastly he stated that this matter, and this is I think common sense, now this is the first priority for him personally and for the entire product management team.

“So let’s be clear about this: Our company was dishonest with the EPA and the California Air Resources Board, and with all of you. And in my German words, we’ve totally screwed up. We must fix those cars and prevent this from ever happening again, and we have to make things right—with the government, the public, our customers, our employees, and also very importantly our dealers.”

Sources reported early in the week that Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn had been fired from his post and replaced by Porsche CEO Matthias Müller. So far, Volkswagen has denied these reports, and Winterkorn has shown no signs of quitting. Volkswagen’s supervisory board has a meeting coming up to discuss extending or ending Winterkorn’s contract.

7. What are the penalties?

If the EPA leverages its maximum fine, which is $37,500 per vehicle, the overall penalty could add up to $18-billion. The EPA is also working with the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the case and criminal charges may follow. A report from Bloomberg says that Volkswagen is the target of a U.S. criminal probe.

The impact could be even bigger if European authorities or regulators find any wrongdoing in their investigations. German regulators have said they will investigate to see if Volkswagen manipulated emissions testing in Europe.

Besides fines, Volkswagen’s market value has dropped by almost 20 percent, and the company has lost 15-billion euros (USD$16.9-billion) in market value so far.

UPDATE: A class action lawsuit has also been filed against Volkswagen.

The agency will begin by testing new diesel cars on the road, so that they get a clear indication of the vehicle’s emissions in everyday situations. Test vehicles will be obtained from customers or rental fleets, so that the automaker cannot tamper with the chosen vehicles.

VW will also have to endure a huge PR crisis as it attempts to repair the damage this scandal has done to its reputation. Volkswagen will have to regain the trust of consumers globally, even though the cars affected so far are only in the U.S.

With all the money lost in fines and lawsuits, the costs of an inevitable and huge recall, a massive PR campaign, and the hit to its market value, this could affect development of future vehicles and people’s trust in automakers and diesel in general. People will also inevitably start wondering if other automakers with diesel cars have cheated.

For people who own the affected cars, they will be inconvenienced by having to go into the dealership for the inevitable recall. Resale values for the affected cars will also likely take a hit.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expanding its VW diesel investigation to include the automaker’s 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine.

The engine is used in various Audi models and the Porsche Cayenne, which means the Volkswagen Group could be facing an even larger fine than the maximum $18 billion currently expected. The models that are affected by the VW diesel scandal currently include the 2009-2015 Audi A3, 2009-2015 Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta SportWagen, 2009-2015 Volkswagen Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2009-2015 Volkswagen Golf, 2014-2015 Volkswagen Passat and the 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen.

In the Porsche Cayenne diesel, the 3.0-liter V6 engine makes 240 horsepower and is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The updated engine was revealed last year and in Audi models has either 218 hp or 272 hp with a maximum torque output of 442.5 pound-feet.

“The new 3.0 TDI substantiates our claim as the leader in diesel technology,” said Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management of Audi AG, technical development when the engine was revealed. “We have led the competition ever since the first TDI engine 25 years ago, and are constantly extending this lead with new ideas.”

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/09/epa-expanding-vw-investigation-to-include-3-0l-v6-engine.html/feed3more]]>Volkswagen Spills Details on 10-Speed Transmissionhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/05/volkswagen-spills-details-10-speed-dct.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/05/volkswagen-spills-details-10-speed-dct.html#commentsMon, 12 May 2014 21:52:56 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=244026Volkswagen Spills Details on 10-Speed TransmissionGet ready for 10-speed transmissions, because they’re coming. German automaker Volkswagen has spilled more details on its upcoming 10-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which was designed specifically for the MQB architecture. The new platform will underpin several models within the Volkswagen Group including the new Golf, next-generation Passat, the automaker’s new seven-seater SUV and the Audi A3.... more]]>

Get ready for 10-speed transmissions, because they’re coming.

German automaker Volkswagen has spilled more details on its upcoming 10-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which was designed specifically for the MQB architecture. The new platform will underpin several models within the Volkswagen Group including the new Golf, next-generation Passat, the automaker’s new seven-seater SUV and the Audi A3.

The DCT will work with front- and all-wheel drive platforms and offers a torque capacity of 370 lb-ft or more and can be paired to four-, five- and six-cylinder engines. In addition, VW R&D chief Heinz-Jacob Neusser revealed details on the company’s next-generation four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engines. The new EA288 2.0-liter turbo-diesel will actually be a twin-turbo engine with 240 hp in the next-generation Passat backed with 369 lb-ft of torque. Neusser also promised a twin-turbo 2.0-liter TDI with 280 hp with upwards of 400 lb-ft of torque.

GALLERY: 2014 Volkswagen Jetta SEL

]]>http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2014/05/volkswagen-spills-details-10-speed-dct.html/feed1more]]>Volkswagen Surprised by US Diesel Demandhttp://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/11/volkswagen-surprised-by-us-diesel-demand.html
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013/11/volkswagen-surprised-by-us-diesel-demand.html#commentsThu, 28 Nov 2013 13:02:38 +0000http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/?p=223965Volkswagen Surprised by US Diesel DemandHolding 72 percent of the light-duty diesel market in the U.S., Volkswagen itself is surprised by how quickly Americans have embraced clean diesel powerplants. Through October of this year, Volkswagen’s diesel sales have accounted for 22 percent of its total U.S. sales, a number which has exceeded expectations for the German automaker. Driving those sales... more]]>

Holding 72 percent of the light-duty diesel market in the U.S., Volkswagen itself is surprised by how quickly Americans have embraced clean diesel powerplants.

Through October of this year, Volkswagen’s diesel sales have accounted for 22 percent of its total U.S. sales, a number which has exceeded expectations for the German automaker. Driving those sales is the introduction of the Passat TDI, which is the first diesel-powered midsized sedan on the U.S. market.

According to Jonathan Browning, head of VW America’s operation, the U.S. diesel market has been surprising for the brand. Volkswagen believed that many of the customers switching over to VW first and foremost would be stuck on gasoline engines. The German automaker’s original forecast was that 17 percent of Passat sales would be diesel models, but it is closer to 30 percent this year.